Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-31

How Ladies In Reduced circumstances
Manage 70 Thrive as the Capital.

PROVIDING TASTE AND CULTURE As SUPPLEMENT
10 wEALrH-KxPEKfs IN THE ARRANGEMENT or
FuRSrruRE AND BRIc BRAc.
There are many women Of reduced circum-
stances In Washington who manage TO keep up
appearances. They nave all been reduced from
some higher sphere. They are the wives or
daughters OF men who have been In Government
positions, In the Army or Navy, or perhaps 10
Congress- and have died leaving nothing for their
families Some OF those women 50 reduced have
trod the highest walks OF social eminence. Those
OF more commonplace qualifications have sur
rendered their social position and opened boarding
houses or gone into the Departments There is an
ex-Representstive still alive here in Washington
who has two daughters In one OF the Depart
ments.
SOCIAL GuIpEs-
Women OF greater resources have contrived
means Of keeping up appearances AMI earning
their own living at the same time. There are
several who teach etiquette 10 such as are newly
cast into the Washington whirl They teach the
wives and daughters OF new statesmen how 10
through the dark passages and over the slippery
places about the entrance TO Washington society.
They give a benevolent assistance TO rich ladies
VINO would ike TO shine In Washington society,
but have been unable TO break through the thin
shell TO the inner circle. They supply taste and
coiIure where Their patrons have wealth only, and
help them up the rugged way. They brush aside
the thornS with q hand In O velvet glove. one
lady, 1t Is SAID still Keeps ND the establishment
which was the Inheritance OF her more prosperous
for
INTRODUCING LADIES
into society and for society news she furnishes
conndentially to certain papers To be Invited TO
her house is to secure an entire to society. 1t
means recognition and other invitations. The
compensation for such service Is matter OF dell
cacy, but 1t is managed by the lady so that the
patron shall feel under deep obligations, and not
" inn A, NIB m may
There are Others who, when not engaged In social
activities themselves occupied In showing some
room; how to hang the pictures and the curtains;
what TO put in this room and what in that; how
to arrange bric-a-brac the mantels In cabinets,
and how the whole should be for harmony and
good taste. Then they show their patron where
to stand and how to stand when receiving CON-
pany, what to talk about and how to talk: or they
will show her how TO give a dinner party, whom
TO invite, how many, how TO decorate and arrange
how to dispose OF the guests to precedence, and
all the rest or IL.
THIS MATTER OF PRECEDENCE
puzzles some OF the best OF the newcomers, and
they are glad 10 find some one to relieve them OF
the responsibility. These female professors OF
etiquette help them out OF all such embarrassment
They bring out the debutantes and nelp them TO
good matches. Some, 10 is said, have particular
talents for matchmaking, and devote themselves
10 that This branch OF service is said 10 AFFORD
very lucrative employment TO Two or three amiable
ladies OF great tact. They bring young people To-
gether and Introduce their wards into eligible
society.
CHAPERONE FOR A CONSIDERATION.
Another employment sought by accomplished
ladies OF reduced circumstances Is that OF chap
erone for young people. chaperone is very i'm
portant attachment for young people in Washing
lngt0n society, and one IL Is not always easy 10
get. IL is embarrassing and besides generally in
convenient for mamas 10 have TO SIT tn the corner
OF against the wall and nod while their fair
mazes that lead to premature old age. An aniable
cnaperone, Vino Will go with the girls 10 the
theater, TO balls ana parties, and where not, Is
cheap at most any price, aud can md plenty to do
probably. or course they do not advertise,
''Wanted.-A situation as chaperOner Nor do they
ask Mrs. Pennyharvest If she doesn't want to hire
a chaperone with long experience and good REFER
encea. Not at all. IL all comes about very nat
uraliy. The lady is so accommodating and Mrs
PennyharyeSt Is so grateful That IL all CONES to be
understood. Another occupation OF fashloneb BILE
ladies o. reduced circumstances Is that OF reading
TO lnvalds, and entertaining them with all the
small talk OF the day.
HOW IT Is DONE.
All these means are resorted to by ladies who
have by some misfortune been thrown on their
own resources Some perform these services openly
ties. Others manage 10 keep their occupation
secret between themselves and those they serve.
each patron thinking that she is the only one SO
favored.
Washington is a place for the cultivation OF
clever women, and they are found living upon
do a thriving business In the 'lObby." There is
one young girl who Is about the Capitol every win
ter, VINO Is said to make q large income from her
practice before the House.